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W. BOL LIER AND l. DlEMAND.

TIME RECORDING APPARATUS. APPLICATIQN FILED APR. 29. 1915.

. Patented NOV-,1, 1921.

a snzervsnzsr 1.

W. BOLLIER AND ILDIEMAND.

TIME RECORDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED APR-29. 1915.

1,395,665. Patented Nov. 1, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' llllllll I III Iv INTOR5. C gm J hm w. BOLLIER AND I, DIEMAND. TIME RECORDING APPARATUS.

' APPLICATION FILED APR.29. 1915. 1,395,665.

Patented N w. 1, 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

UNITED STATES WALTER BOLLIER AND IRMA DIEMAND, OF ZURICH, SWITZERLAND.

TIME-RECORDING APPARATUS.

Specification 01 Letters Patent.

Application filed April 29, 1915.

To all to/tom it may cancer-n:

Be it known that we, WALTER BOLLIER and IRMA DIEMAND, citizens of the Swiss Republie, and residents of 19Stampfenbachstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland, and 57 Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland, respectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Time-Recording Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, such as will-enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in workmans time recording machines, the purpose of the invention being to provide a machine which is designed to produce a card record of the time expended by a workman upon each piece of work or particular job, also simultaneously therewith a time record upon a second card, designated as a cost calculating or shop card.

The present invention is directed toward certain improvements in time recording machines, such a machine when made to accord with our invention comprising a pair of time printing wheels that are actuated electrically by means associated with a time clock; to operate periodically a shaft that has fiX edly attached thereto the pair of time printing wheels which simultaneously prints or stamps two cards, when each are properly inserted into the machine, below the printing wheels. The machine also includes in another circuit under control of the time clock, electrically actuated means for moving other wheels that print upon the workmans card other data, such as the date, time in hours and minutes, these printing wheels being rotatable on a shaft to which the two printing wheels are fixedly attached, so that the additional printing wheels for the workmans card will be actuated to print simultaneously with the two similar printing wheels that are fixed on the shaft and are operated by another circuit, also under control of the time clock.

A machine constructed to accord with our invention includes a movable platen, which is normally locked in a depressed position; the same when released moving toward the several printing wheels, to print or stamp two cards that are inserted in the machine to engage separate circuit closers in an independent open circuit, which circuit when closed energizes a solenoid, moves a catch to release the platen, which automatically Patented Nov. 1, 1921.

Serial No. 24,838.

moves toward the printing or stamping wheels and prints on the two cards while they engage the circuit closers.

The machine further provides means for cutting away a portion of the side edges of each of the cards, substantially at the same time that they are printed, thus providing the cards with portions to engage with the circuitclosers, when they are again inserted in the machine, which notches not only engage the circuit closers but also insure proper alinement of the records printed on the cards; the cutting of the cards eflecting an immediate release of the card-actuated circuit closers.

A machine constructed in accordance with our invention includes in its construction, electrically actuated means controlled by current from a time-clock or a time circuit, the means including one circuit for moving a shaft having thereon corresponding printing wheels for printing like data simultaneously upon different cards which are separated one from one another, and another or second branch of the circuit, from the timeclock which provides current for electrically energizing a solenoid magnet which operates other printing wheels for making impressions upon the workmans card; a third or open circuit, that is independent of the time-clock, is closed by the insertion of two cards which engage two circuit closers to effect a release of a manually positioned platen that moves automatically upon its release to press the cards toward the printing wheels, and at the same time to sever a marginal portion from the cards, providing thereon shoulders which serve to aline the cards upon the next insertion in the machine, as will hereinafter be more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of our invention,

Figure l is a face view of a workmans time-card, which is usually retained in the possession of the workman for a predetermined period;

Fig. 2 is a face view of a cost calculating or shop card;

Fig. 3 is a face view of a second cost calculating card, used when the workman has completed one piece of work and has another piece assigned to him, prior to the period of time which is covered by his card;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a time record ing machine which embodies our invention;

when the circuit is closed by th actuation of normally open circuit .closers by the simultaneous insertion of two cards.

7 Referring to the drawings, which illust'rate one embodiment of a time recording apparatus that accords with our invention, 1

refers to a plate maintained by corner supports 2, attached toa base-plate 3. Plate 1 is provided with bearings 4 for a shaft 5, and sidewise beyond 7 the journals of the bearings, the shaft has fixedly attached thereto, printing wheels 6 and 7. The printing wheel 6 is of the face-gear type, having laterally projecting pins or teeth that are engagedby an actuating pawl 16.

The shaft 5 carries the wheel 7, which moves with the shaft and has a printing face that-is similar to the printing face of the wheel 6. The type or printing faces of the wheels 6 and 7 are preferably spaced to register time in tenths of hours upon both the workmans card and the cost calculating card or cards, such division of time being in decimals to facilitate cost calculations.

The shaft 5 has at one end a reduced portion that extends beyond the printing wheel 7, upon which is mounted a sleeve 8 (shown in Fig. i); this sleeve carries the printing wheels 9, 10 and 11, the face gear printing wheel 9 being one of the driving members, the same having projecting teeth or pins similar to the printing wheel 6, though the printing faces and spacing of the teeth may be different, this wheel 9 having printing faces indicating minutes in clock time.

The printing wheel 10 on the sleeve 8 prints the hours according to clock time, 11 the days of the week; thus the workmans card will at each operation have impressed thereon by the whchel 7, time in decimals of an hour to correspond with the impression on the cost calculating card, and other impressions indicating days of the week, hours and minutes in clock time.

The sleeve 8 carries at one end a toothed or ratchet wheel 12 and at the other end a lifting cam plate 13, a similar cam plate 14 being connected with the printing wheel 9. The sleeve 8 also carries a peripherally toothed or ratchet wheel 15 which is rig idly associated on the shaft with the print ing wheel 11. The four printing wheels 7 9, 10 and 11 as illustrated in the example given, show the printing mechanism for printing or stamping of the work-card, while the printing wheel 6 serves for the printing of the cost-calculating card. For the latter purpose, several printing wheels could of course be provided, according to the number found necessary.

The printing wheel 6 for the cost calculating card and the printing wheel 7 are both rigidly attached to the shaft 5, and said wheel 7 and the shaft are rotated by a reciprocating pawl or hooked member 16 that is connected to the plunger 16 of a solenoid coil 17, such plunger also being attached with a lock and release mechanism 18 which is movably connected with said lever 16 effects at intervals, the stoppage of the printing wheel 6. The solenoid coil 17 is electrically connected to a branch circuit that leads to a time clock (not shown) by whichin the example under consideration-it is actuated in decimal division of hours, the printing wheels 6, 7 being controlled or locked when not being moved by the energized solenoid whose'reciprocating plunger 16 carries the pawl 16 that engages with the pins or cogs of the wheel 6, and when the solenoid is not energized a spring on the plunger maintains the looking means in operative position, the locking means as illustrated comprising a pair of reciprocating detents connected to a rocking arm, one of the detents being attached to the plunger 16 of the solenoid coil 17. The minute printing wheel 9 is actuated by a pawl 20, attached to the plunger 20 of the solenoid coil 21, the latter being electrically connected with a second or another circuit that extends to the contact timepiece (clock). The plunger 20 of the solenoid 21 is actuated at intervals of about one minute, moving printing wheel 9 a unit each time. A. lock and release mechanism 22 is connected with the plunger 20 of the solenoid coil 21. V

Plate-cams 13 and 14. have eccentric portions and a detent, they being fast on the sleeves 8 carried by the reduced portion of the shaft 5. The eccentric portions of the cams lift the pivoted arms 23 and 24 so that their catches engage the radial portions or detents of the plate-cams. The arms 23 and 24 may be provided with springs. 25 which exert a downward pull upon the front ends thereof. The arm 23 has pivoted thereto a pawl 23 by means of which the ratchet wheel 15 is actuated to move one step on each depression of the arm. A doublearmed lever or hell crank gravity detent 26, the upper member thereof being engaged by a pawl 23, which is adapted to be moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel 15 at intervals when it has completed one rotation. 1 When pawl 28 is raised by arm 23, the gravity detent 26 thus left free, swings outward by its own weight and thus automatically releases ratchet wheel 15. In like manner, arm 24 is also provided with a controlling pawl 24 by means of which it is able to control a gravity detent that en gages the ratchet wheel 12. This controlling pawl 24 can, as in the case of its colleague, pawl 23, control an arresting arm 26' which arrests the ratchet wheel 12 when it has completed one revolution and releases ratchet wheel 12 upon being drawn up by arm 24.

The minute printing wheel 9 completes in one hour a complete revolution, and with it also plate cam 14 which raises arm 24 once during such period of time. Ratchet wheel 12 and with it the hour printing wheel 10 are thereby advanced one step. The hour printing wheel 10 being fast on the sleeve 8 carried by the reduced portion of the shaft 5, in making a complete revolution, moves with it the cam 13, and in making such movement the cam raises the arm 23 once, whereby ratchet wheel 15 and with it the day printing wheel 11 is moved forward a one step or printing section.

A colored ribbon 27 which is drawn over guiding rollers 28, 28 passes beneath the several printing wheels and one end of this colored ribbon is fastened to a roller 29 and the other end to a roller 30 on which rollers the ribbon alternately and automatically winds on and off.

The axles of rollers 28, 29, 30 are secured to a support 31. Plate 1 has two horizontal card receiving slits 32, 33, the printing Wheels 7, 9, 10, 11 pass through the upper wall of lit 32 and printing wheel 6 passes through the upper wall of slit 33. Slit 32 serves for the insertion of the work card, and slit 33 for the insertion of the cost calculating card. In Fig. 4 the position of each card as inserted is indicated by a dash and dot line. Beneath plate 1 is placed a platen bar 34 at each end of which is fixed a vertical rod 35. Each rod 35 fitted at its lower end in a socket 36 and at its upper end in a frame 37 is under. the control of a spring 38 which at one end rests on plate 1. The bar 34 has also a projection or catch 39. By depressing the lever 40 fastened loosely on shaft 5, the platen bar 34 can be pressed down to the position shown, SLIi'h movement of the lever 40 placing the springs under compression. To this end a guide pin 42 is attached to the lever 40 by means of a connectin rod 41, Figs. 4 and 7, and is vertically guided through a socket 423, its lower end resting upon a horizontal projecting portion of the platen bar 34. In the drawing the platen bar is shown in its locked position, in which its catch 39, catches beneath the oscillatory arresting dog 44, the latter being on a bar 45, which is carried by a double-footed pedestral 46. The dog 44 is movably connected with the plunger 48 of a solenoid coil 49, by means of a hinged piece 47. The plunger of the solenoid coil 49 is generally held in the position in which it is seen in Fig. 6, that is to say, in its working position, by means of a press-spring 50. The solenoid coil 49 is interposed in a circuit which includes a battery 52 and in this circuit 51 are two lightly springing contact tongues 53 which are a part of the circuit closers, they being located so that one projects into the path of a card when inserted in the slit 32 and the other into the path of the card inserted in the slit Opposite each tongue 53 is placed a contact screw 54 which is also interposed in the circuit 51. Two recessed members or shear plates 55 are fastened to the upper side of platen bar 34 while to the upper side of plate 1 are fastened knives or cutters 56 located opposite each recessed shear plate 55 with which it coacts.

WVhen cards are inserted into the guide slits 32, 33 respectively and are pushed sufliciently far in, they press the tongues 53 against the screws 54 thereby closing the circuit 51. The solenoid coil 49 when energized draw back the plunger 48 causing the dog 44 to release the bar 34; the bar 34 impelled by springs 38 thereupon springs upward and forces the inserted cards against the printing mechanism whereby the stamping of same is effected. Simultaneously the knive 56 on plate 1 and the shear plates 55 on bar 34 cut the cards to the depth of one notch. The cards are thus both notched to the same depth so that when they are next inserted into slits 32, 33 they enter one notch or space further into the apparatus, which allows the printing to register on a subsequent line. Upon the lever 40 being depressed to allow of the withdrawal of both printed cards, the platen bar 34 is returned to its locked position in which it is held by the dog 44, the circuit being opened, the spring 50 holding the dog in its working position. The opening of the circuit is effected by the cutting of the cards whereby contact tongues 53 are released leaving the circuit 51 open. The movement of the colored ribbon can be; obtained by connecting a suitable mechanism of control with rollers 29, 30, having means for bringing the same into working relation with lever 40.

e claim:

1. A workmans time recorder in which is embodied means for marking simultaneously two cards inserted below marking wheels, a shaft upon which the marking wheels are fixedly attached, electrically actuated means included in a circuit which is intermittently opened and closed, a platen for pressing the cards toward the printing wheels and electric actuated means independent of the hereinbefore mentioned circuit for controlling the platen which is controlled to operate effectually only when two cards are in position beneath the marking wheels.

2. A workmans time recorder, comprising a shaft having thereon a pair of spaced apart card marking wheels, means for turning the shaft synchronously with time mechanism, means for maintaining different cards in position to be marked by the wheels, 2. platen mounted to be movable to a position away from the cards, means engaged by the cards when in position to be marked which effects an actuator of the platen to permit movement thereof toward the marking wheels and against the cards, and means for cutting away a portion of each of the cards while they are in position to be marked.

8. A workmans time recorder, having printing mechanism for simultaneously marking two cards, and associated mechanism for notching the two cards, organized for cooperation with the marking mechanism and controlled by means rendered effective only when the two cards simultaneously engage the'controlling means.

4. A workmans time recorder, comprising a shaft, printing wheels fixedly mounted for rotation with the shaft, electrically actuated means for rotating the shaft, a sleeve on'the shaft, a plurality of printing'wheels on the sleeve, means synchronal with the movement of the printing wheels that are fixed on the shaft for intermittently rotating the wheels on the sleeve, a platen which is movable away from the printing wheels, and electric actuated means for controlling the-platen operated by two cards when simultaneously positioned in printing positionbeneath the printing wheels. 7

5. A workmans time recorder, for simultaneously stamping a workmans time card and a cost calculating card, comprising a platen that is normally maintained in nonoperative position, electrically operated means for controlling the platen for movement to operative position which are rendered effective when engaged by cards simultaneously inserted to printing position, and synchronously moved printing wheels for marking both of the cards.

6. In a workmans time recorder, wherein a workmans time card and a cost calculating card are simultaneously stamped or printed, electrically actuated means for moving two similar printing wheels, one for each card, means for locking the printing wheels between the intermittent rotation thereof, a platen movable to and from the printing wheels, means forholding the platen away from the printing wheels, a pair of card receiving openings which are each intersected by a normally open circuit closer of an open circuit, said circuit closers functioning when engaged each by a card to close the circuit to render effective electric operated means for controlling the platen, and cutting means located on the frame of the machine adjacent to the card receiving openings and upon the platen operating to notch each of the cards substantially simultaneous with the stamping thereof.

7. A workmans time recorder for simultaneously printing a workmans time card and a cost calculating card, comprising a pair of printing wheels for printing divisions of time upon both of the cards, said wheels being spaced apart, two card receiving openings. which are spaced apart, a platen which is normally held ininoperative position, means associated with the platen for moving the same to printing position, a control for the platen which permits movement of the same toward the printing wheels which release is controlled by the simultaneous insertion of both cards to printing position.

8. A workmans time recorder for simultaneously marking a worlnnans time card and another card comprising a pair of spaced apart and synchronously moved printing wheels, a pair of card receiving openings below the printing wheels, circuit closers which have members that are actuated simultaneously only when two cards are inserted in the apertures up to correct position for printing, and means rendered effective upon the closing of the circuit in which the two circuit closers are interposed, said means controlling a platen for moving the cards toward the printing wheels.

9. In a machine of the character set forth for printing and cutting time cards, comprising electrically controlled and actuated time printing wheels which are spaced apart one from the other, a pair of spaced apart I 

